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For Immediate Release: 7/25/2023 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
23077 / 23-G-0225; 23-G-0226 July 25, 2023
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Virtual Public Statement Hearings Set Regarding Proposed Increases to Gas Delivery Rates and Practices |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold virtual public statement hearings on Tuesday, August 1, and Wednesday, August 2, 2023, on proposed increases and other changes in the gas delivery rates and practices of The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (KEDNY) and KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (KEDLI) (collectively, the companies). On April 28, 2023, the companies filed amendments to their gas tariff schedules, proposing to increase their annual gas delivery revenues effective March 31, 2024. KEDNY proposes to increase its revenues by $414 million (a 28 percent increase in base delivery revenues or a 17 percent increase in total revenues). KEDLI proposes to increase its revenues by $228 million (a 24 percent increase in base delivery revenues or a 14 percent increase in total revenues). Although the actual bill impacts of these proposed changes on any particular customer class will vary based upon revenue allocation and rate design, the companies state that a typical KEDNY residential heating customer (that is, one using 99-102 therms of natural gas) will have a $30.95 average monthly bill increase and a typical KEDLI residential heating customer will have a $28.52 average monthly bill increase.
The companies also state that the rate increases are largely due to the need to invest in critical infrastructure to comply with Federal and State pipeline safety mandates, increased costs to deliver expanded energy efficiency and other demand reduction offerings, and economic factors such as the rising cost of material due to inflation, increased contractor costs, and increased local property taxes. The companies further state that their rate filings are focused on delivering safe and reliable service, meeting the needs of customers, and advancing the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The companies propose to undertake a more targeted leak prone pipe replacement strategy; aggressively repair gas leaks and target the repair of high-emitting leaks through the continued use of advanced leak detection technology; continue or expand customer- oriented initiatives to ensure energy affordability, improve customer experience, and maintain customer satisfaction; improve the resiliency of the distribution system by investing in automation, safety valves, and storm hardening projects; and continue or expand many CLCPA-supporting initiatives such as, energy efficiency and demand response programs.
The companies’ pre-filed testimony and exhibits in these proceedings may be reviewed online at the Department of Public Service web page, www.dps.ny.gov, by searching under the Commission Files section and inputting Case 23-G-0225 or 23-G-0226.
Under New York State law, the Commission must consider a utility's proposal and may adopt or reject it, in whole or in part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider changes proposed by the participating parties and general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence relating to the companies’ proposal. Public statement hearings will be held over two days to obtain comments from the public concerning the companies’ proposals.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs James A. Costello and Maureen F. Leary, as follows:
Those wishing to comment on any aspect of these proceedings will have the opportunity to make a statement on the record at the virtual public statement hearings. Any person wishing to provide a public statement must register in advance of the hearing.
To register electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically may register to do so by clicking on https://signin.webex.com/join by 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, for the August 1 hearings and Tuesday, August 1, 2023, for the August 2 hearings. Registrants should enter the appropriate meeting number for the hearing, enter the appropriate webinar password listed above, click “Register” underneath the webinar password, click “Register” in the box to the right, and provide all requested information.
When logging in to a hearing on the appropriate date and time of the hearing, participants should click on https://signin.webex.com/join, enter the appropriate meeting number for the hearing, and input the appropriate webinar password listed above. Participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require participants to enter their phone numbers.
To register by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to make a statement at a hearing must register to do so by the dates indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number.
On the appropriate day and time of the hearing, dial 1-518-549-0500 and enter the relevant access code listed above to join the hearing. All participants will be muted upon entry into the hearing. The ALJs will call on each person who has registered to speak. The ALJs will continue the hearing until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made to include their comments in the record. Time limits may be set for each speaker as necessary to afford all attendees an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of these cases.
To listen to the hearings: Any person who would like to listen to the hearings but would not like to make a statement may access the hearings without registering. The hearings will be livestreamed on the internet and available for viewing on the Department of Public Service’s YouTube channel on the dates and times listed above. To access the YouTube channel, visit the Department’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, and click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of the homepage. In addition, any person without internet access may listen to the hearings by phone by calling 1-518-549-0500 and entering the applicable access code.
Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services.
Other Ways to Comment
For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing, there are several other ways to provide your comments to the Commission. Comments should refer to “Case 23-G-0225 and Case 23-G-0226 – National Grid.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding, they are requested by August 4, 2023.
By Internet or Mail: Please go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “File Search” (located under the heading “Commission Files”), enter 23-G-0225 or 23-G-0226 in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” box located at the top of the page Those unable to file electronically may mail their comments to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, New York State Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case numbers, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.
Toll-Free Opinion Line: Individuals may choose to submit comments by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to receive in-state calls 24-hours a day. These calls are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.
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